Proudly Serving the Hulet and Devils Tower Community
Proudly Serving the Hulet and Devils Tower Community
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Dangerously cold wind chills hit Torrington Wednesday night and Thursday morning. This weather was cold enough to freeze a bubble before it popped. Beautiful and unique crystals could be seen forming as the bubble froze....
The snow may be coming down more often than it has over recent years, but the National Weather Service (NWS) is not predicting it will cause flooding when the spring arrives. According to the outlook for the Rapid City Hydrologic Service Area, the severe drought conditions that led into winter – along with lower streamflows and minimal frost – have reduced the chance for spring floods, despite the abundance of the snowpack. At this time, there is below average potential for flooding in northeastern Wyoming. The NWS predicts less than a 5% chanc...
Site Name Elevation (ft.) Current Snow Depth (in.) Current Snow Water Equivalent (in.) 30-Year Median SWE Last Year’s SWE Current % of 30-Year Median SWE Bear Lodge Divide 4680 14.1 3.4 1.8 0.4 189 Blind Park Snotel 6870 24 5.3 4.7 2.6 113 Cole Canyon Snotel 5870 21 4.5 3.2 2 141 Ditch Creek 6880 16.1 2.9 2.4 1.4 121 Little Bear Run 6240 17.5 3.3 2.7 1.3 122 Mallo 6420 26.9 5.9 4.7 1.8 126 Mount Tom 5560 23 4.4 3.3 1.5 133 North Rapid Creek Snotel 6250 21 4.6 4.7 3 98 Reuter Canyon 6280 29.2 7.3 6 2.9 122 Upper Spearfish 6500 24 5.4 4 1.8 1...
As a new year begins, the county commissioners have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Crook County’s interests are represented in the updated management plans under development by the U.S. Forest Service for the Black Hills National Forest (BHNF) and, separately, by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for lands in northeast Wyoming. Forest Plan The BHNF management plan has caused considerable concern over recent months after many – including the commissioners – felt that the draft assessments being used to develop the update were...
Due to an impending winter storm, staff began closing seasonal gates and recreation sites that are not open through the winter on the Black Hills National Forest, Mon., Dec. 12, ahead of the regularly scheduled Dec. 15 date. Gates are closed to provide a seasonal refuge for wildlife, protect road and trail surfaces and other resources, and provide for public safety as some of the roads are converted into part of the snowmobile trail system. Seasonally closed roads and trails are identified on the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). Black...
When Cindi and Brandon Baudhuin asked for help to create a unique hunting experience for a 13-year-old boy who is battling a form of bone and soft tissue cancer, a group of local outdoorsmen did not hesitate to answer the call. As it turned out, fate was also listening in. Thanks to a series of coincidences, the passionate young hunter was able to take his first lion right here in Crook County. Oconto River Kids The Baudhuins volunteer with Oconto River Kids, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit with...
Last month, Devils Tower staff attended a high-angle rope rescue course. This course was instructed within the monument by "Rigging for Rescue" out of Ouray, CO. The two-week seminar included detailed instruction on high-angle rescue systems and how to use technical equipment for practical use. The first week was fundamentals of rope rescue, followed by self-rescue and small teams response during the second week. Throughout the training, they dedicated many hours to rescue scenarios. These pract...
On a beautiful, sunny afternoon, Sunday, September 28, 2022, the Devils Tower Natural History Association (DTNHA) hosted the annual Old Settlers' Picnic at the Devils Tower campground. The Oshoto Community Church conducted a worship service after which picnickers enjoyed music provided by Jim Traversie's band, Badger Horse, while they ate their lunches and later had cupcakes, cider and coffee provided by the association. After guests had finished their picnics, emcee Sandra Mooney, DTNHA...
This is the time of year to celebrate old and new traditions with family and friends, like venturing into your favorite national forest to harvest your own Christmas tree. Black Hills National Forest Christmas tree permits are now available for purchase either online at Recreation.gov, from your local Forest Service office or from private vendors throughout the Black Hills. To purchase a permit online, visit Recreation.gov and search for Black Hills National Forest Christmas Tree Permit. It is important to carefully read the overview and...
Crook County Natural Resource District has teamed up with Keyhole State Park to purchase and install signage that will educate the public about the dangers of harmful cyanotoxins caused by cyanobacteria algae blooms. The signs were delivered to the park's superintendent, Greg Deveraux, last week – a timely moment to install them, as it turns out, because the bloom advisory changed to a toxin advisory on October 27. According to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, advisories are i...
A portion of the trails in the Bearlodge that are popularly used by recreationists during the snowy months of the year will be closed this winter due to a timber stand improvement project. The U.S. Forest Service has announced that certain trails north and west of Warren Peak will be closed to snowmobiles to make way for the Woods Timber Stand Improvement project, which will involve thinning of certain pine stands to improve the growth of the remaining trees, diversify habitat and reduce fire...
Boat ramp and aquatic invasive species inspection hours at both Glendo and Keyhole state parks are adjusting to accommodate the waning sunlight hours. Beginning Mon., Oct. 24, boat ramp use and AIS inspection hours will be limited to sunrise to sunset. Boaters can check the Keyhole and Glendo sunrise/sunset tables for time references. Ramp restrictions — and the requirement for an aquatic invasive species inspection before launching — are due to the threat of zebra mussels from Pactola Reservoir in South Dakota spreading to Wyo...
Tracy Bush, Tessa Garman, Jaycee Garman, Hanna Ista and Sheyanne Fosheim putting up one of the new beef promotion signs. As one of their 2022 projects, the Crook County Cattlewomen placed signs all around the county promoting beef....
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced that an open house public meeting will take place on November 2 in Lusk to solicit early public involvement in the revision of the Newcastle Resource Management Plan (RMP). This process will ultimately create an updated version of the document that defines how the BLM approaches management of everything from livestock grazing and fire management to air quality and minerals on the lands it governs within northeast Wyoming. It’s the first time since 1999 that the Resource Management Plan (RMP) for...
Crook County's two new game wardens introduced themselves to the county commissioners last week and provided information on the rights of citizens if they find themselves face to face with a dangerous predator. Nate Holst has joined the Wyoming Game & Fish department (WGF) as the Sundance Game Warden, while Mitchell Kern will be his counterpart in Moorcroft. The two men asked to be added to October's agenda after receiving a letter from the commission requesting a more proactive approach to...
Two popular Wyoming boating locations are changing their protocols for watercraft inspections to protect waters from zebra mussels, an aquatic invasive species. These changes, instituted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, will begin Oct. 5. At both Keyhole and Glendo state parks, all watercraft will be inspected at the boat ramp before launching. Inspection hours will be 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Use of the boat ramp is restricted to 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Launching without an inspection is...
At the request of Commissioner Kelly Dennis – himself acting on behalf of a “concerned citizen” in Hulett – a letter has been sent to the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission to request a new approach to a predator problem in the area. Dennis told his fellow commissioners that there is currently an issue with lions around Hulett, and the concerned citizen on whose behalf he was raising the issue does not feel that the game warden’s approach of “avoid it and it will go away” is sufficient. He requested that the county write and submit a letter asking...
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has begun the long process of revising the document that defines how it approaches management of everything from livestock grazing and fire management to air quality and minerals on the lands it governs within northeast Wyoming. It’s the first time this century that the Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the tri-county region of Crook, Weston and Niobrara counties will be revisited. “The last time we went through this process for the Newcastle Field Office was in the 1990s,” says Tyson Finnicum, public affai...
BUFFALO — For Karen McGowan, the dispersed camping public forum hosted on August 25 by Bighorn National Forest staff addressed concerns that, for her, are nearly 20 years in the making. The Buffalo resident bought land on the mountain two decades ago, she said, amid her struggle to find dispersed camping spots on the mountain. “And now you’re seeing these people that are camped out for weeks or months at a time, and it’s like, I’m paying taxes, I’m paying an access fee for the road that we’re on, it’s frustrating,” McGowan said. “But I’m al...
Crook County Natural Resource District is looking for landowners to participate in a new conservation project developed in partnership with its counterpart in Weston County. The aim of the Northeast Wyoming Habitat Improvement Partnership is to, "Enhance and conserve wildlife habitats by addressing conifer encroachment and selectively thinning woodland areas to reduce raptor predation in core sage-grouse areas, to promote quality forage for mule deer, to improve elk habitat and to deter another mountain pine beetle epidemic," according to...
The U.S. Forest Service has followed the lead of local counties, cities and state agencies in calling for fire restrictions within the Black Hills National Forest. Black Hills National Forest Supervisor Jeff Tomac has signed a special order BKFfor Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on both the Bearlodge and Hell Canyon Ranger Districts. The restrictions became effective at the end of last week. In a press release, the U.S. Forest Service stated that restrictions are not taken lightly, but are necessary due to dry fuel conditions, persistent fire...
Crook County has joined the call for the U.S. Forest Service to rethink its draft assessments for the revised Black Hills National Forest Plan. A comment letter submitted by the county commissioners touts "significant concerns" with the science used to create the drafts, and with the level of public input solicited so far. "I think we probably have some of the most comprehensive comments that will be submitted," commented Dru Palmer of Dru Consulting, who prepared the 21-page letter on behalf of...
The threat of zebra and quagga mussels to Wyoming’s waters is closer than ever before. Last week, zebra mussels were discovered in Pactola Reservoir, located 13 miles west of Rapid City, South Dakota, in the Black Hills. The reservoir is only 27 miles from the Wyoming border and is a popular boating destination for Wyoming and South Dakota residents. The westward expansion of invasive mussels is significant as Wyoming remains one of the few states yet to have the destructive species. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is concerned about t...
Six kids showed up for the recent Lions Club fishing derby: Evelyn, Meredith, Danny, Rosin, Taidhg and Fiona. All participants received assorted lures for showing up. Evelyn won a $50 Sportsman's Warehouse gift card for the most fish and a duffel bag with an assortment of items for the biggest fish. Meredith won a $25 Cabela's gift card for the second largest fish caught. Rosin got a $25 Cabela's gift card for the lowest number of fish caught. Taidhg received a fishing pole/reel combo. Danny...
Riding a bull in a pool during the Family Fun Day. These kids were having fun. See article page 4....
